When it comes to taking down a criminal and ensuring an arrest, gathering information is crucial for a number of reasons. The information will let you (and the police) know when and where a particular individual or group will be based on repeat behaviors. It will tell you whether or not they are violent or if they have been committing other crimes. Above all else, it gives the police the information they need to get people or groups off the street and where they belong.

There's an acronym we use in the Army, S.A.L.U.T.E. It stands for:

Size

Number of personnel
Number of vehicles
Number of equipment (weapons, cell phones, etc)



Activity

What are the people doing?
Who are they doing it with?
What are they doing it with?



Location

Where are the people located? (Street addresses, intersections, etc.)
If a crime was committed, where was the crime committed?
If the person or group is mobile, note where you intercepted or witnessed them and where they were going. (This means following at a distance)



Unit/Uniform

How tall is/are the person(s)?
What race?
Color hair?
Color eyes?
Color shirt? (Long sleeve, or short sleeve? What type?)
Color Pants?
Color hat?
Any accessories?



Time

What time did you come into contact with the person/group?
When did you observe specific actions?
When did they depart or arrive at places?
When did you break contact?



Equipment

Be specific if they were carrying something and describe it.
Be specific about vehicles that were being used. (Model, Make, Color, License plate number and state)

Good stuff.

Ah the old salute report, I remember using that on many recon missions.

Another thing you have to know when using this report type is that it is designed for longer term recon missions so camouflage is key, make sure if you are on a ledge you aren't silhouetting yourself.

This would be great for a stakeout of a crack-house or other criminal building.

Camouflage can also mean just being in an inconspicuous vehicle.

Camouflage can also be just being dressed as a normal civilian or even as a homeless person.

Word good call. a hidden pocket pc or notebook works awesome for this, or a phone with a camera for discreet pics

Another thing I have thought of is a hidden camera in my clothes or accessories for video.

Hidden cams can be expensive...lol.

With that said, ALWAYS HAVE MULTIPLE ROUTES OF EGRESS.

Yah I am not taking costs into my thoughts for the most part here, mostly so I don't limit my thought process, but variations of my ideas may spring from the more expensive ones.